Mio:
> "What do you mean by that?"
Raphael smirks:
> "Just wait, little Rio."
Mio stares at Raphael, clearly confused… again.
Then suddenly—
Jake (shouting):
> "Mio! Come here!"
Mio snaps back to reality, bows respectfully to Captain Raphael, and jogs over to Jake.
Raphael (chuckling softly):
> "Silly kid."
Eric (checking his clipboard):
> "Captain, we've still got tons of things to prepare."
Raphael (sighs dramatically):
> "Ugh, alright…"
---
Meanwhile…
Jake (grinning ear to ear):
> "Mio, LOOK! We're gonna fight together! How cool is that?!"
Luna (waving excitedly):
> "Take care of us, Mio!"
Still slightly disoriented, Mio glances at the match board — and his eyes widen.
10TH MATCH
GHOULSTRIKE (Red Card)
vs
ULTRACLASH (Blue Card)
Team GhoulStrike:
JAKE
LUNA
MIO
Team UltraClash:
RICKY
RENJI
MAYA
Jake (panic mode):
> "OH MY GOSH… we're actually fighting RENJI?! For real?!"
Luna (freezing):
> "WHAT?! I have to fight MAYA?! Nope. Nope. I can't. I'm out."
Mio blinks at the names — one in particular.
Mio (murmurs):
> "...Maya."
Luna turns to him, surprised:
> "Wait—how do you know Maya?!"
Mio hesitates for a second.
> "We were… really close. Like best friends. Five years ago."
Luna (genuinely curious):
> "Why didn't you say hi?"
Jake gently pats Luna's shoulder.
> "Hey, maybe he's got his reasons. Don't push."
Mio (softly):
> "It's okay. She's your friend too, right? We just… haven't seen each other in a long time. And after what happened… things got awkward."
Luna (nods slowly):
> "Got it. I won't ask more. Everyone's got their own story."
But Jake quickly shifts the mood—
> "Okay BUT! We're in serious danger right now, guys!"
Mio (confused):
> "Huh? Why?"
Jake (dramatic tone):
> "Because they're the SILVER CARD team from UltraClash! Their synergy? UNBEATABLE!"
Mio just nods, not looking worried at all.
Jake (ranting now):
> "I'm telling you—they've got ULTRA POWER. Like, legit light beams and sparkles and explosions, it's basically Ultraman meets laser tag! The longest they've EVER taken to beat an enemy is like… ten minutes!"
Luna (claps her hands, starry-eyed):
> "WHOA! That's so cool!!"
Jake (offended):
> "LUNA! I'm trying to warn MIO—not impress you!"
Luna (smirking):
> "Who cares? He heard it too, right?"
Mio (laughs quietly):
> "Yeah. I'm listening."
He then scans the large digital scoreboard. So many matches lined up:
BINGO vs STROMFANG
NIGHTVEIL vs LIGHTBOURNE
A note flashes at the bottom:
"Top 10 Teams Advance to Final Tournament Round"
Mio watches in awe, realizing how strong the other teams are…
Then his eyes shift to the very top of the board.
SPECIAL EXHIBITION MATCH:
CAPTAIN RAPHAEL vs RIO ROSSEL
Mio (staring):
> "...What is this?!"
—
TO BE CONTINUED...